This past Friday was supposed to be a true dilemma for the Alouettes versus the Edmonton Eskimos. No Jamel Richardson or Brandon Whitaker in the lineup and going up against the top defence in the CFL along with the newly-acquired league leader in rushing, Cory Boyd.

On paper, this had all the makings of a massacre with this surprising Edmonton team ready to feast on a supposedly shaky Alouettes team. Thankfully, these games aren’t played on paper.

The Als dominated both on offense and defence and walked out of Oil Country with a convincing 38-25 victory. Victor Anderson stepped in for Whitaker and had a game to remember, with over 100 yards & a TD. Brandon London & S.J. Green filled the void left by Richardson by making some incredible catches and with Green scoring a TD in the process. And can we just give Patrick Lavoie the most outstanding rookie award now instead of waiting until Grey Cup week? The Laval University prodigy continues to pad his stats and adds another potent weapon to AC’s lineup.

And the much-maligned defense of the Alouettes came alive and kept the Eskimos off the board until late in the 2nd quarter. I said last week that the Birds need to fly. And fly they did; Kyries Hebert had a INT, Ventrell Jenkins and Alan-Michael Cash took turns giving Eskimos QB Steven Jyles all kinds of fits and Billy Parker did a great job containing Greg Carr, despite a horrendous pass interference call that led to an Eskimos touchdown.

Without that blatant penalty & a blocked punt later on, this game would have been a complete and utter blowout for the Alouettes. Despite the final score, the message has been sent: this Montreal squad is not a team to take lightly.

But there is no time to enjoy this win, as the Alouettes are back at it tomorrow versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. After being humbled earlier this year by Henry Burris and crew, the Alouettes are primed to capitalize on the Tabbies’ injury woes. They will also get to see their old pal Avon Cobourne, who went from insurance salesman to starter to backup and now back to starter with the injury to Chevon Walker, who’s been tearing up the league on the ground.

The major key to victory for Montreal will be containing Chris Williams & Andy Fantuz, who will both be looking to test this defence once again. I am hoping that Jeff Reinebold has Williams’ almost-TD versus the Alouettes last month on a continuous loop for his charges; if that doesn’t fire up these Dirty Birds, nothing will.

Also notable tomorrow will be a very special birthday; the legendary Anthony Calvillo will be turning 40 years young. It’s been said time and again, but it’s simply incredible that not only at his age is he still playing, he’s STILL putting up the numbers that quarterbacks 10 years younger than him only dream of. Watching AC play at this level is a thing of beauty; it’s his birthday, but every game day he’s giving US fans the gifts!

But instead of a plaque or commemorative bauble to present him with in order to celebrate this special day, I think the greatest gift for the Alouettes to give AC would be later in November in the form of his 4th Grey Cup victory. With any luck, the formula to do just that has now been found with this Alouettes team.

——-

That’s all for now. Be sure to follow along on Twitter for live game-day tweets and any other last minute news for tomorrow’s game. And if you are attending the game, be sure to hit up the tailgate from LesGarsQuiVivent.com. Located east of the stadium in the park, look for the blue tent, smoking hot grill and tons of great Alouettes fans!